Making Your House a Healthy Home

If you’re like most Americans,
you spend much of your
time indoors. Have you ever
stopped to think about whether the air
you’re breathing at home is healthy?
Research has found that in some
homes across America, the quality of
indoor air can be worse than outdoor
air. In part, this is because many homes
are being built and remodeled tighter.
You don’t have to be a building scientist
to deal with the quality of air in your
home; however, you should understand
a few basics to get you started.

Biological Pollutants (like molds
and dust mites)
Molds, mildew, fungi,
bacteria, and dust mites are some of the
main biological pollutants inside the
home. Some, such as pollen, are generated
outside the home. Mold and mildew
are generated in the home and release
spores into the air. Mold, mildew, fungi,
and bacteria are often found in areas
of the home that have high humidity
levels, such as bathrooms, kitchens,
laundry rooms or basements. Dust
mites and animal dander are problematic
when they become airborne during
vacuuming, making beds, or when
textiles are disturbed.

Allergic reactions are the most common health problems
associated with biological pollutants.

Molds and dust mites thrive in areas
of high humidity. Mold grows on organic
materials, such as paper, textiles,
grease, dirt, and soap scum. Mold spores
float throughout the house, forming new
colonies where they land. Dust mites
thrive on dead human skin cells and are
found in textiles, such as bedding, carpeting,
and upholstery. When these textiles
are disturbed during vacuuming, making
beds, or walking on carpet, the dust particles
become airborne. Pollen, plant
material that enters through windows or
on pets, and animal dander also become
airborne when disturbed. Infectious diseases
caused by bacteria and viruses are
generally passed from person to person
through physical contact, but some circulate
through indoor ventilation systems.

Health Effects
Allergic reactions
are the most common health problems
associated with biological pollutants.
Symptoms often include watery eyes,
runny nose and sneezing, nasal congestion,
itching, coughing, wheezing and
difficulty breathing, headache, dizziness,
and fatigue. Dust mites have been identified
as the single most important trigger
for asthma attacks.

Addressing the Problem
There
are no practical tests for biological contaminants
for use by nonprofessionals.
However, there are signs to watch for.
You can sometimes see and smell mold
colonies growing on surfaces. Mold
growth should be suspected wherever
there are water stains, standing water,
or moist surfaces.

Prevent mold growth by keeping
basements, bathrooms, and other rooms
clean and dry. Use a disinfectant to clean
surfaces that have mold on them. If carpeting
or furnishings become wet, they
must be quickly and thoroughly dried
or discarded.

Humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and air
conditioning condensing units should
be regularly cleaned with a disinfectant,
such as chlorine bleach. Keep humidity
at acceptable levels (less than 50 percent),
and make sure there’s plenty of
ventilation, especially in areas where
moisture tends to build up.

People who are sensitive to dust mites
may need to replace carpeting in their
homes with hard surfaced flooring and
use area rugs that can be removed and
cleaned. Vacuums with high efficiency
filters or central vacuum systems can
help reduce the airborne dust generated
by vacuuming.

Cleaning Up Mold
According
to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, if the moldy area is less than
about 10 square feet, in most cases,
you can handle the job yourself, following
the guidelines below. If you
have health concerns, consult a health
professional before starting cleanup.

If you choose to hire a contractor to
do the cleanup, make sure the contractor
has experience cleaning up mold. For
do-it-yourself cleanup, note that the
use of a disinfecting chemical or biocide
that kills organisms such as mold
(chlorine bleach, for example) is not
recommended as a routine practice during
mold remediation, although there
may be instances where professional
judgment may indicate its use (for example,
when immune-compromised
individuals are present). In most cases,
it is not possible or desirable to sterilize
an area; background levels of mold
spores will remain, and these spores will
grow if the moisture problem has not
been resolved. If you choose to use
disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate
the area. Outdoor air may need
to be brought in with fans. Never mix
chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning
solutions or detergents that contain
ammonia because toxic fumes could
be produced.

In instances when a biocide is not
used, simply damp-wipe surfaces with
plain water or with water and detergent
solution (for wood, use wood floor
cleaner); scrub as needed. Always dry
completely after cleanup is completed.

In order to limit your exposure to airborne
mold during cleanup, you should
wear an N-95 respirator, available at
many hardware stores. In order to be
effective, the respirator or mask must fit
properly, so carefully follow the instructions
supplied with the respirator.